To Recommend and Implement Rigorous Program of Study in Circuit Winkels

WHEREAS, The 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on July 24, 2019, adopted Resolution 6-04, “To Support, Encourage, and Expect Continuing Education for all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Pastors,” nearly unanimously and by voice vote (Proceedings, 160); and

WHEREAS, In the press of pastoral life, pastors often find it difficult to maintain a robust study of God’s Word and the teachings of Scripture—along with the necessary tools for that study—and the use of the biblical languages; and

WHEREAS, Traditionally, the pastoral Winkels provided for:

• the regular, formal study of the Scriptures, led by pastors for pastors;

• the regular, formal study of the Lutheran Confessions and the Lutheran dogmatic tradition, led by pastors for pastors;

• the regular, formal study of illuminating historical issues and contemporary threats to the teaching of God’s Word and our blessed Lutheran Confessions, led by pastors for pastors; and

• the regular, formal critique of the teaching and proclamation of the pastors in the Winkel; and

WHEREAS, The traditional Winkel model generates koinonia around the only thing that in Christ’s Church can create it—His Holy Word and our blessed Lutheran Confessions—but the absence of serious study of that Word and our Lutheran Confessions leads to the rupture of koinonia;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the district presidents provide to all circuit visitors and pastors a template for monthly Winkels which provides significant time for:

• the regular, formal study of God’s Word in the original languages led by a circuit pastor;

• the regular, formal study of our blessed Lutheran Confessions and/or the Lutheran dogmatic tradition led by a circuit pastor;

• the regular, formal study of an historical, pastoral- theological, or polemical topic led by a circuit pastor; and

• regular, formal pastor-led critique of the Winkel preacher’s sermon;

and be it further

Resolved, That the pastors of the district be encouraged to embrace the traditional Winkel model and readily, gladly, and energetically to participate in it, for their own theological growth, to maintain the tools of theology in their midst, and to foster koinonia in their midst; and be it finally

Resolved, That each district president in his 2026 Synod convention report comment on the implementation of the traditional Winkel model in the circuits of his district and its reception by and benefit to pastors and congregations alike